Causes of World War One: After the assassination Why were these alliances formed? – Colonial and Economic rivalry

Colonial Rivalry Morocco, 1905 & 1911 Background: France and Britain agreed that Britain could have freedom to control Egypt and that Britain would help France to take over control of Morocco.

1905: The First Moroccan Crisis Kaiser William made his infamous Tangiers Speech. Wishing to frustrate French efforts to take over Morocco, William sailed to Tangiers and made a menacing speech. He supported the independence of Morocco and demanded an international conference to discuss Morocco's future. Clearly this was provocative to the French. The French suspected the German leader of trying to break up the Entente Cordiale. The conference to discuss Morocco's future met in Algeçiras in At the conference Britain fully supported France - to the disappointment of Germany.

1911: The Second Moroccan Crisis Following disturbances in the country the Sultan asked the French to send in troops to 'restore order'. Germany was alarmed at this growth of French power and sent a gunboat, the Panther, to the port of Agadir. They claimed this was to protect German interests. Lloyd George, in his Mansion House speech, once again supported France: “Britain would prefer a war to a European pacification achieved at the cost of her honour”. Once again, Germany had to back down.

Question: Do you think Germany’s actions were motivated by growing confidence or by a lack of confidence? Explain your answer.

Economic Rivalry Background: There was also growing tension between Germany and Britain economically. Britain was the first country to industrialise and for many years dominated Europe economically. However, Germany rapidly caught up after her unification in By 1900 it rivalled the more-established British economy as the world's largest.

Primary Industries German coal production, about one-third of Britain's in 1880, increased sixfold by 1913, almost equaling British yields that year. German steel production increased more than tenfold in the same period, surpassing British production by far. She soon had England on the defensive through the production of cheap and poorer-quality, though eminently more saleable, industrial goods for a world market.

Secondary Industries Germany also took an early lead in the chemical and electrical industries. In chemistry, companies like BASF became renowned for their discoveries, and in electricity, by 1914 the country was producing half the world's electrical equipment.

Question In what ways were economic and colonial rivalry connected? Explain your answer.

The German Navy will rival the British Navy by 1914.